Ministry of Health and Family Welfare recently released details of Anemia Mukt Bharat.
Anemia Mukt Bharat:
Aim:
- Objective: Reduce anemia in vulnerable populations, particularly women and children.
Mission:
- Integration: Achieve anemia reduction targets under POSHAN Abhiyaan.
Strategy: 6X6X6 Approach
- 6 Target Beneficiaries: Includes women, children, and adolescents.
- 6 Interventions:
- Prophylactic Iron and Folic Acid supplementation.
- Delayed cord clamping after delivery in health facilities.
- Addressing non-nutritional causes of anemia (e.g., malaria, hemoglobinopathies, fluorosis).
- Biannual mass deworming for children aged 1-19 years.
- Additional nutrition programs and awareness campaigns.
- 6 Institutional Mechanisms: Coordinated efforts across government bodies and stakeholders to implement and monitor interventions.
Understanding Anemia
Definition:
- Condition: Insufficient number of red blood cells or their oxygen-carrying capacity to meet physiological needs.
Causes:
- Iron Deficiency: Most common cause.
- Vitamin Deficiencies: Including Vitamin B12 and Vitamin A.
- Others: Chronic inflammation, parasitic infections, inherited disorders.
Vulnerable Groups:
- At Risk: Pregnant women and children.
Impacts:
- Symptoms: Fatigue, weakness, dizziness, and drowsiness.
- Long-term Effects: Can lead to reduced physical and cognitive development in children.
